Bucs offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter speaks

It’s often tough to judge training camp running plays.

Buccaneers defensive players don’t tackle running backs to the ground, and there’s not always real hitting on every play. (more…)

Bucs WR Robert Herron has been catching the ball for a change this summer.

Last year, why Robert Herron was at the bottom of the wide receiver depth chart wasn’t exactly a tough puzzle to solve. And it sure looked like he was on the wrong side of the bubble entering training camp this August. (more…)

Yes, the feet were down. It was a touchdown for Mike Evans, from Jameis Winston.

The steamy grind continues at Buccaneers training camp, as the Bucs keep wearing pads in practice and pounding each other in advance of the preseason opener on Saturday night in Minnesota.

Joe’s got all kinds of notes & nuggets. Enjoy. (more…)

George “Flash” Johnson

There’s plenty of speed on this young Buccaneers defense, and it’s evidenced in this video from today’s training camp practice at One Buc Palace.

Man, Jameis Winston, America’s Quarterback, would have been creamed here. (more…)

Backup… for now.

Not quite a full day after NFL Network’s Mike Mayock crowed that rookie Bucs guard Ali Marpet has “Pro Bowl potential,” you could have fooled Marpet with that statement. (more…)

Pro Bowl in his future?

It isn’t often that Joe sees Mike Mayock go all wobbly at the knees over an NFL player — like Joe does when he remembers his now trashed poster of Rachel Watson.

But that is exactly what Mayock did when for Bucs rookie guard Ali Marpet. (more…)

Joe may not be a fan of Evan (Dietrich) Smith, but that doesn’t mean Joe won’t share love for the Bucs’ starting center. (more…)

Endangered species?

Seems like the Bucs are running a lot of punters in and out of One Buc Palace of late.

Joe knows NFL teams love competition, but the revolving door of trying punters out sure smells like this punter roulette is more than just pushing Michael Koenen. (more…)

How good is Gerald McCoy?

However you choose to answer that — and it is debatable — it doesn’t take away from the extreme expectations on McCoy’s back. (more…)

New Bucs manbeast DT Tony McDaniel is talking big

There’s nothing like having a good player with supreme expectations and confidence, combined with a winning resumé.

It doesn’t always work out (see Evan Smith’s Super Bowl ring), but that attitude can be infectious. (more…)

Leslie Frazier talked about yesterdays’ fight at One Buc Palace

The Buccaneers had their first skirmish of training camp yesterday, with George Johnson and Demar Dotson at the bottom of the pile and teammates darting into the scrum.

Lovie Smith completely shrugged it off after practice, but Leslie Frazier had a lot to say. (more…)

Yes, “Hard Knocks” debuted last night. No, Joe didn’t see it. Joe cancelled HBO the instant “The Sopranos” went dark. It would have to be some kind of spectacular TV event to get Joe to pick HBO back up.

Besides, NFL Network will show reruns next summer. Joe can wait. (more…)

NFL Network’s Mike Mayock defended “America’s Quarterback” yesterday.

There isn’t a guy around talking football that Joe enjoys listening to more than Mike Mayock. Doesn’t mean Joe agrees with him all the time, but Joe could just sit for hours and listen to the guy.

As Chucky would say, “Love him, man!” (more…)

Sometimes, as many coaches will say often, the little things add up to big things.

And Joe has noticed that on more than one occasion, that applies specifically to defensive backs. (more…)

Lovie Smith weighs in on Ali Marpet

The legend of Division III rookie Ali Marpet continues to grow.

Marpet, who is converting to starting right guard after playing left tackle at mighty Hobart College, is drawing major love from all the important Buccaneers. (more…)

Today’s brawl was just one moment in practice. Joe’s got plenty more. (Yes, that is Dirk Koetter holding on to Jameis Winston with two hands.)

It was another broiling day on the practice fields of One Buc Palace, and Joe has all kinds of news and nuggets.

Enjoy. (more…)